Renewable Energy Sources

Knowledge Gateway

Electric Vehicles

ShowHide Quick Links

Electric mobility sourced with renewable power is an efficient way to increase the share of renewables in the transport sector. As energy-consuming technologies, electric vehicles (EV) create new demand for electricity that can be supplied with renewable power. In addition to the benefits of this shift, like reducing CO2 emissions and air pollution, electric mobility also creates significant efficiency gains and could emerge as an important source of storage for variable sources of renewable electricity.

IRENA analysis shows that EVs has significant growth potential:

There is a potential to increase electric passenger cars from just over 2 million in 2016 to 200 million in 2030

Electric two and three wheelers would number even more, with potentially 900 million on the roads by 2030

Electric buses and light-duty vehicles could number well over 10 million by 2030.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES bring opportunities to provide a link between the renewable power and the low-carbon transport sectors.

Linking power, heating and transport sectors will increasingly play a role

Storage and ability to enable higher shares of variable renewable power into the grid will be key driver

EVs offer a solution to growing urban environments and cities and their energy needs

Challenges to overcome to meet the potential increase in use include:

To realise this potential, yearly sales of Evs will need to increase from under 1 million today to 10 million per year on average by early next decade

Vehicle cost is key, and price of battery packs still require cost declines

Investing in charging infrastructure is also necessary to accelerate sales